Adapter Device

ABSTRACT

Adapter device ( 13 ) installable on a portable long firearm ( 11 ) in which a cartridge storage element ( 12 ) can be inserted; where the adapter device ( 13 ) has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, open at both its top and its bottom, and comprises some first mechanical means ( 21 - 1, 21 - 2 ) externally distributed on the short sides of the adapter device for mechanically assembling it on the mouthpiece of the portable gun magazine; it also comprises some second mechanical means ( 41 ) to receive the cartridge storage element.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

This invention refers to an adapter device for mounting a wide range ofaccessories on a firearm.

STATE OF THE ART

In general, portable long barreled firearms that use long rangeammunition are probably the most widely used personal guns today.

Long barreled guns leave the factory, for example, with a basic aimingsystem, which can subsequently be equipped with a wide range ofaccessories that facilitate its use and maintenance in differentscenarios.

All of these accessories can be assembled on the long barreled gunseparately or in combination, but there is a drawback for the long gunin question related to alterations in the original configuration, onoccasion even with changes of the original long gun parts and/orsignificant alterations in size and weight.

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INVENTION

This invention seeks to solve one or more of the abovementioneddrawbacks by means of an adapter device for mounting accessories on aportable long barreled firearm, such as the one claimed in claim 1.

One object of the adapter device is to assemble accessories on theportable long barreled gun with minimum modifications of the basicstructure of the gun and with minimum variation of its total weight.

Another object of the adapter device is to supply a very simple adapterthat is easily assembled on the original firearm or that can be adaptedto a gun already in use.

Still another object is to provide an adapter device that has apolyhedral shape, such as a hollow rectangular tube open at both its topand its bottom, which comprises some first mechanical means ofmechanical assembly externally distributed on the short sides of theadapter device, i.e., on the side that faces the muzzle of the barreland on the side that faces the trigger guard; and some second mechanicalmeans distributed on the interior sides of the adapter device to receivethe cartridge storage element or magazine.

Another object of the adapter device is that it is configured to belocated close to the region where cartridges are supplied to the gun.Thus, the adapter device can be placed on top of the mouthpiece of themagazine of a gun in use, i.e., the adapter device does not replace theexisting magazine mouthpiece, but rather the adapter device isconfigured in the form of a clamp assembly that is externally assembledaround the mouthpiece of the gun magazine. Likewise, the adapter devicecan also be configured to be directly assembled on the frame of theportable gun, replacing the magazine mouthpiece of the in-service gun.

The adapter device includes a closed hollow receptacle that isconfigured to insulate any gun accessory or element thereof that isinserted into this receptacle from the environment in which the longbarreled gun is used.

This receptacle is assembled on the exterior of one of the sides of theadapter device, such that it does not interfere with the handling of thegun.

Still another object of the adapter device is that the receptacle can bea body that is substantially rectangular, cylindrical, oval, etc., andthat is configured as an impermeable compartment, i.e., that isresistant to the penetration therein of a liquid, gaseous and/or solidsubstance.

The receptacle also comprises an input-output interface that enablescommunication between a gun accessory or element thereof housed insidethe receptacle and any component of the gun or part thereof, any gunaccessory and/or any element of an accessory mounted on the exterior ofthe receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in thefollowing description and is based on the accompanying figures:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the adapter device installed on along barreled gun,

FIG. 2 shows a detailed perspective view of the adapter device,

FIG. 3 shows details of the adapter device installed on a long barreledgun,

FIG. 4 shows a detailed perspective view of the adapter device that canbe placed on top of the mouthpiece of the long barreled gun.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a portable long barreled firearm 11 with an adapter device13 for mounting accessories or elements thereof, which comprises aclosed hollow receptacle in which an accessory or element thereof ishoused. The adapter 13 is placed on top of the mouthpiece of thecartridge storage element 12 or gun magazine and/or can replace themouthpiece proper of the magazine 12. It can be seen that the receptacleis on one of the sides of the adapter device 13 closest to the barrelmuzzle, such that it does not interfere with the handling of the gun.

Regarding FIGS. 2 to 4, the adapter device 13 has a substantially hollowrectangular tube shape and comprises some first mechanical means 21-1,21-2 externally distributed on the short sides of the adapter device 13,i.e., on the side that faces the barrel muzzle and on the side thatfaces the trigger guard. The adapter device 13 also comprises somesecond mechanical means 41 distributed on the interior sides of theadapter 13 to receive the magazine 12 and, as mentioned above, itincludes the closed hollow receptacle 23 that is configured to insulateany gun accessory or element thereof inserted into this receptacle 23from the environment in which the long barreled gun 11 is used.

Therefore, the adapter device 13 is substantially shaped like a hollowrectangular polyhedron, open at both its top and its bottom.

The receptacle 23 can have different shapes, such as a substantiallyrectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, etc., configured as animpermeable compartment, i.e., that is resistant to the penetrationtherein of liquid, gaseous and/or solid substances.

In a scenario in which the receptacle 23 is not impermeable or lossesits impermeableness, each accessory or element thereof can be coatedwith a material that provides the required characteristic of insulationwith respect to a polluting environment that interferes with properoperation.

Obviously, the characteristic of impermeableness of the receptacle 23 iscreated once the gun accessory or element thereof has been inserted intothe receptacle 23.

In a scenario in which the adapter device 13 cannot be directly andmechanically placed on top of the gun magazine mouthpiece, the adapterdevice 13 is mechanically assembled to the gun frame itself with thefirst mechanical means 21-1, 21-2.

The receptacle 23 also comprises an input-output interface that enablescommunication between an accessory or element thereof housed inside thereceptacle 23 and any component of the gun or part thereof, any gunaccessory and/or any element of an accessory mounted on the exterior ofthe receptacle 23.

The adapter device 13 includes an electric power supply source thatsupplies electric power to all the accessories or elements thereofhoused in the receptacle 23.

The adapter device 13 includes a switching element 22 to turn on and offthe gun accessory and/or element thereof. To this end, the switch 22 iselectrically connected to the accessory mounted inside the receptacle23.

The switch 22 is located on the exterior of one side of the adapterdevice 13, such that it can be actuated by one finger of the hand of apotential user of the long barreled gun.

The adapter device 13 is assembled close to the gun chamber, as it isplaced on top of the gun magazine mouthpiece. This location allows thereceptacle 23 to house accessories or accessory elements for countingthe ammunition consumed by the gun during use, for example, since theshot counting systems include elements that are installed in themagazine 12 proper and/or close to it, in the vicinity of the chamber,etc.

Therefore, accessories for the portable long barreled gun, like a shotcounter device, rate of fire detector device, counter device ofcartridges stored in the gun magazine 12, etc., can be installed in theadapter device 13.

The receptacle 23 also includes accessory elements related to a displaydevice 14, 31, a transceiver to emit and receive data signals regardingthe gun's use, etc.

Any of the aforesaid devices comprises at least one electronic controlunit connected to an element to turn it on and off, a data input andoutput unit, a transmission and receiver unit, i.e., a transceiver totransmit and receive, via short range radio, data signals regarding thefunction performed by the device with which it is associated, anelectric power supply source, a data storage unit or memory, etc.

The data input and output unit can be electrically connected to otherelements of the corresponding accessory installed anywhere on the longbarreled gun via the input-output interface.

For example, the electronic control unit can transmit data on thefunction or functions that it performs during use of the long barreledgun, via the transceiver, to a receiver installed in the informationdisplay device 14, 31. This display device 14, 31 may be located in theregion of the mouthpiece or in a remote position that facilitatesdisplay during use of the gun.

The display device 14, 31 may comprise a fixed or blinking light signaland/or an alphanumeric display screen, a micro-controller, a powersupply source, a receiver to receive the information to be displayed, anoperating mode selector, etc. These functions can be controlled from thecentral control unit located in the receptacle 23.

The display device 14, 31 located in a region away from the gun may becompatible with multiple supports available on the market which areacquired as standard complements of a long barreled light gun, e.g.,Picatinny rails, clamps, etc., or may be adapted to the gun physiognomy.

The body of the display device 14, 31 may have a cylindrical shape, witha reduction of the cylinder radius in the centre to facilitate the gripwith clamps. In this way, the long barreled gun could be placed inmultiple positions on a Picatinny rail at the user's discretion.

The cylindrical geometry also enables the display device 14, 31 torotate on the axis of the cylindrical structure, permitting itsorientation for a correct, easy display of the light signal or thedisplay screen.

Because of the cylindrical shape of the body of the display device 14,31 and a recess that is made, there are two well differentiated parts.The electronics for processing the information and the display arehoused in one part and the battery in the other. This means that, ifscrewed caps with O-rings are introduced, exchangeable batteries can beincorporated, making the devise resistant to immersion in water.

For many applications, all the components incorporated into the gun mustbe perfectly fitted to its morphology and not protrude from it.Therefore, the display device 14, 31 must be located in an area withinthe user's range of vision, with mechanical characteristics that make itimperceptible to other users and that permit use of the gun in anynormal situation. Therefore, the telescope may be located on the body ofthe gun, near the region where the sight is installed. Many portableguns have built-in grips that can be used for the installation of thedisplay device 14, 31.

To prevent the display device 14, 31 from protruding from the gunstructure, it has a “U” shape whose external surface may come intocontact with the user and is as flat as possible, following the lines ofthe gun's curvature. With this shape, it is possible to orient thedisplay 14, 31 and/or the light signals towards the user, and thebattery can be concealed in the areas not covered by the user's field ofvision, e.g., in the concealed grip area. To prevent difficulties in thecase of a right-handed or a left-handed user, the U-shaped bodyfacilitates the rapid relocation of the device so that it will notaffect or bother the user when using the gun.

The display device 14, 31 of the information saved in the centralcontrol unit memory, in addition to being located on the gun, may belocated in an external control unit that has its own display system,e.g., a PC, a PDA or a mobile telephone.

The control of the light gun may require accessories which include avibration sensor, a temperature sensor, a movement sensor, an opticsensor, a magnetic sensor and a transceiver to emit signals of datameasured by the sensors and receive data signals of information storedin the central control unit external to the firearm.

The sensors installed in a position away from the mouthpiece areconnected to a transmitter to send the data signal produced by thesensor to the transceiver, which transmits it to the central controlunit.

Thus, the central control unit receives the information from all the gunsensors, it processes the received signals and it generates a data fileregarding the use of the gun that is stored in a storage unit.

The temperature reached by the barrel and the stress to which it issubjected depend on the use made of the long light gun. Therefore, forpurposes of good gun maintenance, it is necessary to know the totalnumber of shots made with it and how many of these have been made ineach type of use.

For example, the vibration or movement sensor substantially near themouthpiece picks up any vibration caused by a shot, it generates a datasignal associated with the detected shot and, via the transceivermounted in the receptacle 23, this is transmitted to the central controlunit, which will process the received information, determine if a shothas occurred and store the event in the memory.

The central unit, with the consecutive information received from thevibration or movement sensor, is able to determine the rate of fire andthe mode of use of the long light gun: manual, semiautomatic orautomatic.

The temperature sensor is located on an area of the long light gun awayfrom the mouthpiece; therefore, the temperature sensor communicates viaa transmitter connected to it with the central unit to transmit a datasignal associated with the temperature reached by the barrel whenever ashot occurs. The central unit memory stores the corresponding datum withthe data on the rate of fire.

The optic and magnetic sensors are located along the mouthpiece andclose to the chamber to provide efficient counting of the number ofcartridges in the magazine 12.

In the case of the magnetic sensors, the notch of the magazine 12 isdetected in each of its positions. For this purpose, a magnet isincorporated into the notch so that the magnetic sensors will provide areading of the magnet field based on its position. The position dependson the number of cartridges stored in the magazine 12.

The sensors send this information to the central control unit via thetransceiver housed in the receptacle 23. The central unit processes anddetermines the number of cartridges in the magazine 12. Due to thedifficulty of access to the region next to the chamber and to increasethe accuracy of the count of cartridges existing in the magazine 12, twomagnets are installed in the notch in different positions, in thedirection of the upward movement of the notch. Thus, even in thescenario in which the notch is near the chamber—last cartridge—one ofthe magnets continues to provide information on its position and thenumber of cartridges left in the magazine 12 can be accuratelyestimated.

In the case of long light guns, there are several technical problemsassociated with achieving an efficient cartridge count, e.g., the rangeof magazines available on the market with different shapes and made ofdifferent materials. To solve the aforesaid problems, the centralcontrol unit is adapted to identify the type of magazine 12 and,depending on the identification made, to interpret the informationprovided by the sensors. The memory stores the range of theoreticalvalues of the signal that each sensor can provide on the basis of thematerial the magazine 12 is made of. When an event—a shot—occurs and thesensors are actuated, these send the detected signal to themicroprocessor of the central unit for it to compare the received datawith the values stored in the memory, to identify the magazine 12 and toestimate the number of unused cartridges left inside the magazine 12.

The user can indicate to the central control unit the need to displaythe information stored in the memory by means of an actuationpushbutton. It may also be necessary to actuate the display system inthe event of reception of a signal of events recorded by the sensorsthat require fast communication to the user, such as in the case ofcartridge counts. When this occurs, the micro-controller of the centralcontrol unit processes the instructions and sends the requiredinformation to the information receiver for it to be displayed; theinformation may be displayed by a light signal, an alphanumeric screenor both.

The display device 14, 31 incorporates a selector of the operating mode.With the selector, we can decide how we want to display the informationdepending on the ambient illumination. Thus, we can choose betweendisplaying information in the visible spectrum in the case of daytimeuse or in the infrared spectrum in the case of night-time use. To saveenergy in the display 14, 31, it can be turned off separately from themouthpiece, keeping the information saved in the central control unitrefreshed during its use.

When the display device 14, 31 is located in an area away from thecentral control unit, wireless data transmission is established betweenthe two components. The transmitters and receivers are tuned to 125 kHz,the radio frequency for short range communications. This preventsinterference between users of different guns with the same type of lightgun control device installed. Moreover, tuning the transmitters andreceivers to 125 kHz reduces the electric power consumption because itis possible to establish an inductive type of connection. The samefrequency of 125 kHz is used to establish communications between sensorslocated in regions away from the mouthpiece. To differentiate the twocommunications, when the central control unit receives the informationvia the information receiver of the sensors, a communication protocol isestablished such that the micro-controller differentiates between thetwo signals and knows the instructions to be sent to the rest of thecomponents.

In the case of communication between the central control unit and theexternal control unit, the communication is established via transmittersand receivers tuned to 2.4 GHz. The range at this radio frequency is upto about 85 meters, which enables remote control of the use of longlight guns and information display during their use.

To achieve a long durability of the batteries of the device for thecontrol of long light guns, an orderly on and off sequence of thedifferent electronic components is established by means ofmicro-controllers. In addition, the receivers always stay active in alow consumption mode; only the receiver of the information to be shownon the display device 14, 31 located in a region away from the gun mayremain off if the user has so indicated with the operating modeselector. The micro-controllers are in low consumption (sleep) modeuntil they receive a signal of an event or request for display of theinformation saved in memory.

If the signal comes from the external control unit that requests thereading of the information saved in the memory of the central controlunit via the transmitter of the external control unit, themicro-controller actuates the memory where the information is saved,reads the saved information and sends it to the external control unitvia the transmitter of the saved information. The rest of the componentsremain turned off or in sleep mode. When the process ends, it disablesall the components except for the receivers, and the microprocessorreturns to sleep mode.

The external control unit can request that the data saved in the memoryof the central control unit be refreshed, deleted or changed. In thiscase, the instructions and the possible new data to be entered arereceived by the receiver of information and instructions coming from theexternal control unit. The micro-controller of the central control unitis actuated, it processes the information and it sends instructions torefresh, delete or write new data into the memory. When the processends, it disables all the components except for the receivers, and themicroprocessor returns to sleep mode.

If the microprocessor receives a signal from a sensor located in themouthpiece or a sensor located in a region of the gun away from it, themicroprocessor wakes up, reads the information, turns on the memorywhere the parameters of the long light gun are recorded, compares themand determines whether an event has occurred. If so, it refreshes theinformation in the memory where the occurred events are stored by use.When the process ends, it disables all the components except for thereceivers, and the microprocessor returns to sleep mode.

If the signal comes from the user via the actuation pushbutton,requesting to see the information in the display device 14, 31 locatedon the long light gun, the microprocessor wakes up, processes theinformation requested by the user, retrieves it and sends instructionsto the display device 14, 31 via the transmitter of the informationsaved in the memory tuned to 125 kHz. When the process ends, it disablesall the components except for the receivers, and the microprocessorreturns to sleep mode.

In the event that the display device 14, 31 is located in a region awayfrom the gun, an on and off protocol is also established to save energy.If the receiver of the information to be displayed receives instructionsfrom the central control unit, the micro-controller of the displaydevice 14, 31 determines the component to be turned on and theinformation to be displayed. Thus, depending on the instructions, thelight signal, the alphanumeric display or both are turned on and thevisible or infrared spectrum is specified. The components that are notrequired remain off. When the display ends, all the components areturned off, except for the micro-controller and the receiver of theinformation to be displayed which remains in sleep mode.

The devices for the control of long light guns that incorporate displaydevices 14, 31 may include an ambient illumination sensor. This willprovide a signal to the micro-controller, which will process it and willdetermine the necessary current to be supplied to the light device, toprevent it from always operating in a configuration of maximumemissivity, which serves to control the energy saving and reduce thebattery consumption.

In a scenario where the original magazine mouthpiece of the gun isreplaced by the adapter device 13, the central control unit required forthe control of the gun is housed in the receptacle 23. The adapterdevice 13 comprises two actuation pushbuttons located on the sides ofthe adapter 13, near the gun trigger, to be able to request the displayof information data by right-handed or left-handed users. The centralcontrol unit is turned on and/or off by two relays actuated by an on/offactuation pushbutton.

It also incorporates actuation pushbuttons on the two sides thatactivate the request for information via two relays. The receptacle 23houses accessories or elements thereof, e.g., a shot counter, a rate offire detector device and a cartridge counter.

In a scenario in which the shot counter comprises piezoelectric typesensors or accelerometers, the adapter device 13 should be perfectlyadjusted to the magazine mouthpiece to prevent false alarms. However,since not all long light guns have the same type of mouthpiece becausethe shapes differ depending on the long gun, the adapter device 13should be adapted to each type of mouthpiece on top of which it isplaced. The dimensions of the adapter device 13 are modified by a seriesof mechanical wedges that enable the adapter device 13 to be mounted ona wide range of magazine mouthpieces.

For example, mechanical interface pieces are incorporated between thejoints of the two parts that form the adapter 13 to increase the finalperimeter of the adapter 13, maintaining the continuity of its externalsurface. These small pieces are adapted to the jointing system betweenthe two parts of the adapter 13 and are secured without having toinclude an additional adjustment system.

Likewise, the internal dimensions and shape of the hollow rectangulartube of the adapter device 13 depend on the external dimensions andshape of the magazine mouthpiece on top of which the device will inprinciple be placed.

To solve the technical problem of the different finishes of themouthpiece of the long light gun, the adapter 13 includes a dovetailtype recess adapted to the type of finish of the end of the mouthpiecemost distant from the gun, where jointing pieces are fitted between thedistal end of the mouthpiece and the adapter 13, achieving the type ofadjustment required.

If vibration sensors are used to count shots, these are located near thewalls of the mouthpiece and in contact with the surface of the adapter13. To increase the sensitivity of the vibration sensors, they arelocated to touch the interior walls of the dovetail recess.

1. An adapter device installable on a portable long firearm whichcomprises a mouthpiece for a cartridge storage element; characterized inthat the adapter device assumes a hollow rectangular polyhedral shape,is open at its top and bottom, and comprises first mechanical devicesdistributed on the short sides of the adapter device for mechanicallyassembling the adapter device externally on the mouthpiece of thefirearm, and second mechanical devices distributed on the interior sidesof the adapter device to receive the cartridge storage element.
 2. Theadapter device as per claim 1; characterized in that the adapter deviceis structured to be externally placed on top of the mouthpiece of thecartridge storage element.
 3. The adapter device as per claim 1;characterized in that the adapter device is structured to be directlyassembled on the frame of the portable long firearm and to receive thecartridge storage element.
 4. The adapter device as per claim;characterized in that the adapter device further comprises a closedhollow receptacle located on one of the short sides of the adapterdevice.
 5. The adapter device as per claim 4; characterized in that theclosed hollow receptacle is structured to insulate an accessory devicethat is inserted into the closed hollow receptacle from the environmentin which the firearm is used.
 6. The adapter device as per claim 5;characterized in that the closed hollow receptacle is structured to bean impermeable compartment for the accessory device installed inside theclosed hollow receptacle.
 7. The adapter device as per claim 5;characterized in that the closed hollow receptacle is structured tostore at least one component comprised of a central control unit thatreceives and generates data signals associated with the operation of thefirearm, an input and output interface, a transmission and receiver unitto transmit and receive data signals via a wireless telecommunicationssystem, an electric power supply source and a data storage unit.
 8. Theadapter device as per claim 7; characterized in that the closed hollowreceptacle includes a shot counter.
 9. The adapter device as per claim7; characterized in that the closed hollow receptacle includes a counterof the number of cartridges in the cartridge storage element.
 10. Theadapter device as per claim 7; characterized in that the transmissionand receiver unit transmits and receives signals to and from remoteaccessories located remotely from the firearm.
 11. The adapter device asper claim 7; characterized in that the transmission and receiver unittransmits data signals to a display device where these data aredisplayed.
 12. The adapter device as per claim 11; characterized in thatthe display device is structured to be compatible with multiple supportscomprised of standard complements of the firearm.
 13. The adapter deviceas per claim 11; characterized in that the display device is structuredto be adaptable to the physiognomy of the firearm without affecting theuse of the firearm.
 14. A portable long firearm comprising a mouthpiecefor a cartridge storage element; characterized in that the portable longfirearm further comprises the adapter device (13) of claim
 1. 15. Aportable long firearm comprising a mouthpiece for a cartridge storageelement; characterized in that the portable long firearm furthercomprises the adapter device of claim 13.